Custom brachytherapy carriers

ABSTRACT

A carrier having one or more non-planar surfaces may be embedded with one or more radioactive seeds. A spherical carrier may be substantially radially symmetrical around an axis or a spherical carrier may include a non-spherical portion, such as a tapered portion that extends from a spherical portion.

FIELD

The invention generally relates to improvements to customization ofradioactive seed carriers for use in brachytherapy.

BACKGROUND

Tumors in living organisms are highly variable in size, location andtheir amount of infiltration into normal tissues, and the variability oftumors in general make them very difficult to treat with a one-size fitsall approach. Furthermore, the extent of tumors and/or void created upondebulking are typically not known until presented in the operating room.Thus, the options necessary to effectively treat a tumor or tumor bedneed to be quite diverse.

Brachytherapy involves placing a radiation source either into orimmediately adjacent to a tumor. It provides an effective treatment ofcancers of many body sites. Brachytherapy, as a component ofmultimodality cancer care, provides cost-effective treatment.Brachytherapy may be intracavitary, such as when treating gynecologicmalignancies; intraluminal, such as when treating esophageal or lungcancers; external surface, such as when treating cancers of the skin, orinterstitial, such as when treating various central nervous systemtumors as well as extracranial tumors of the head and neck, breast,lung, soft tissue, gynecologic sites, liver, prostate, and skin.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods, and devices described herein each have severalaspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirableattributes. Without limiting the scope of this disclosure, severalnon-limiting features will now be described briefly.

Discussed herein are various custom shapes and configurations ofcollagen seed carriers for providing improved adjuvant radiationtreatment. The custom shapes generally include a spherical base loadedwith one or more radioactive seeds, which may be compressed forinsertion into a surgical cavity and then expanded to fill the cavitywhen hydrated (via an external source or with bodily fluids). Otherthree dimensional shapes are also disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles of the present invention will be apparent with referenceto the following drawings, in which like reference numerals denote likecomponents:

FIG. 1A is a side view of a spherical carrier having radioactive seedsembedded therein

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the carrier of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example spherical carrier held by forceps.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are cross-sectional views of a spherical carriersloaded with different quantities, and potentially radiation strengths orspacing of radioactive seeds.

FIGS. 3D-3H are cross-sectional views of spherical carriers loaded withdifferent quantities and configurations of radioactive seeds.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a spherical elongate carrier.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the carrier of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a carrier.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of another custom carrier having aspherical portion that tapers into a cylindrical portion.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the carrier of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a tapered carrier having multiplesections each configured for embedding of a radioactive seed therein.

FIG. 6B is cross-sectional view of the carrier of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a carrier having a channel, or canal,extending through a longitudinal axis of the carrier.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the carrier of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of another carrier having flutes extendingalong a length of the carrier.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the carrier of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 illustrates a carrier that is configured for placement in a tumorcavity of a patient via an introduction tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although certain preferred embodiments and examples are disclosed below,inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosedembodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses and tomodifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claimsappended hereto is not limited by any of the particular embodimentsdescribed below. For example, in any method or process disclosed herein,the acts or operations of the method or process may be performed in anysuitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particulardisclosed sequence. Various operations may be described as multiplediscrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful inunderstanding certain embodiments; however, the order of descriptionshould not be construed to imply that these operations are orderdependent. Additionally, the structures, systems, and/or devicesdescribed herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separatecomponents. For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certainaspects and advantages of these embodiments are described. Notnecessarily all such aspects or advantages are achieved by anyparticular embodiment. Thus, for example, various embodiments may becarried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage orgroup of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otheraspects or advantages as may also be taught or suggested herein.

Illustrative embodiments are described below. In the interest ofclarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described inthis specification. It will of course be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any such actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother.

Terms

To facilitate an understanding of the systems and methods discussedherein, several terms are described below. These terms, as well as otherterms used herein, should be construed to include the provideddescriptions, the ordinary and customary meanings of the terms, and/orany other implied meaning for the respective terms, wherein suchconstruction is consistent with context of the term. Thus, thedescriptions below do not limit the meaning of these terms, but onlyprovide example descriptions.

Tumor: an abnormal growth of tissue resulting from uncontrolled,progressive multiplication of cells. Tumors can be benign or malignant.

Tumor bed: an anatomical area of a patient (e.g., a human or othermammal) where a tumor exists (pre-operative tumor bed) and/or an areasurrounding a surgically removed tumor (post-operative tumor bed), suchas a cranial cavity from which a tumor was surgically removed. Evenafter surgical removal of a tumor, the remaining tumor bed of thepatient may include tumor cells.

Treatment area: an anatomical area that is targeted for delivery ofradiation, such as from one or more radiation delivery devices (e.g.,the carriers discussed below). A treatment area may include tissue belowand/or around a location where the radiation deliver device ispositioned, such as an anatomical area of a tumor or a tumor bed.

Treatment surface: an anatomical surface of a patient (e.g., a human orother mammal) where a radiation delivery device is to be placed todeliver radiation to a treatment area, such as the treatment surfaceitself and/or tissue below the treatment surface. A treatment surfacemay be a portion of a tumor bed or any other anatomical surface. Forexample, if a tumor bed is surgically created, the treatment surface mayinclude an entire exposed surface of the tumor bed, a portion of suchexposed surface, or the entire exposed surface of the tumor bed as wellas a surrounding area of tissue.

Brachytherapy: radiation treatment in which the radiation deliverydevice is placed directly on and/or close to a treatment surface of thebody, such as directly on the surface of the body, within the body, orin a tumor bed. For example, brachytherapy may be intracavitary, such asin cranial or gynecologic malignancies; intraluminal, such as inesophageal or lung cancers; external, such as in cancers of the skin;and/or interstitial, such as in treatment of various central nervoussystem tumors as well as extracranial tumors of the head, neck, lung,soft tissue, gynecologic sites, rectum, liver, prostate, and penis.

Seed: a radioactive material that is configured for delivery ofradiation to a tumor and/or tumor bed. A seed may be in various shapesand sizes, such as cylinder, cone, sphere, pyramid, cube, prism,rectangular prism, triangular prism, and/or any combination of these orother shapes. While seeds are generally referred to herein ascylindrical, any other shape or size of seed may alternatively be usedin the various systems and methods discussed herein. Seeds may compriseany combination of one or more of multiple radioactive components, suchas Cs 131, Ir 192, I 125, Pd 103, for example. Seeds may include aprotective outer shell that partially or fully encases the radioactivematerial. Seeds are one form of radiation source. The term “radiationsource,” as used herein, generally refers to a radioactive seed (orother object that emits radiation), either alone (e.g., a seed) orembedded, or otherwise attached to, a carrier (e.g., a tile carrier withan embedded radioactive seed).

Carrier: a substrate that holds or contains a radioactive seed. Acarrier that contains one or more seeds is a radiation delivery device.Carriers may comprise various materials, such as one or morebioresorbable materials, such as collagen. Thus, these bioresorbablematerials are biodegradable, or naturally absorbing into the mammaliantissue over time, such as over a period of weeks or months. Carriers maybe configured for permanent implantation into a tumor bed, such as toprovide radioactive energy to a treatment surface surrounding an areawhere a tumor has been removed in order to treat any remaining malignanttissue. Carriers can be composed of various materials and take onvarious shapes and sizes. Examples carriers, such as carriers havingvarious sizes, shapes, configurations, etc., as well as fabricationprocesses, are included in the following patent and patent application,each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety andfor all purposes:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/322,785, filed Jul. 2, 2014,        now U.S. Pat. No. 8,876,684, entitled “Dosimetrically        Customizable Brachytherapy Carriers and Methods Thereof In The        Treatment Of Tumors,” and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/216,723, filed Mar. 17,        2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,492,683, entitled “Dosimetrically        Customizable Brachytherapy Carriers and Methods Thereof In The        Treatment Of Tumors.”    -   U.S. Patent Application No. 63/163,366, filed Mar. 19, 2021,        entitled “Systems And Methods For Creating Custom Brachytherapy        Carriers.”

Tile Carrier (also referred to as “Tile”): type of carrier that issubstantially planar and generally maintains a two-dimensional planargeometry when placed in a tumor bed. Tiles are generally rectangularcuboids (or other parallelepipeds), e.g., wherein all 6 sides arerectangular and generally planar. Depending on the material of the tile,though, the tile may be malleable such that the tile can be deformed bybending in order to better conform to a tumor bed. For example, fortiles comprising essentially collagen (and/or other malleablematerials), the tiles may be substantially bent as placed in or on atreatment surface (and/or when pressed against the treatment surface) toconform with the shape of the treatment surface, such as apost-operative tumor bed.

Custom Carrier: a carrier having one or more non-planar surfaces, suchas a spherical shape or having a spherical portion. Examples of customcarriers include Spherical Carriers, Gore Carriers, and Star Carriers,noted below, as well as other custom carriers discussed herein.

Spherical Carrier (or “GammaSphere”): a substantially radiallysymmetrical body around an axis. A spherical carrier may also include anon-spherical portion, such as a tapered portion that extends from aspherical portion. Examples of other variations of spherical carriersare discussed herein.

Gore Carrier (also referred to as “Gore”): type of carrier that is3-dimensional and conforms to the tumor bed while maintaining thegeometry necessary for an effective implant. In some embodiments, goresare initially planar and are reconfigured to take on a 3-dimensionalshape, such as to form a hemispherical surface that may be placed into asimilarly shaped tumor cavity. Gore Carriers are further discussed inU.S. Pat. No. 8,876,684, entitled “Dosimetrically customizablebrachytherapy carriers and methods thereof in the treatment of tumors,”filed on Jul. 2, 2014 as application Ser. No. 14/322,785, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

Star Carrier (also referred to as “Star” or “arm-based carrier”): typeof carrier that assumes a conformable 3-dimensional shape when arrangedand placed into an operative cavity or similar space and conforms to thetreatment environment while maintaining the geometry necessary for aneffective implant. However, in some embodiments, Star carriers may beused in their initial planar state to cover a relatively flat tumor ortumor bed area. Star carriers are further discussed in U.S. Pat. No.9,492,683, entitled “Dosimetrically customizable brachytherapy carriersand methods thereof in the treatment of tumors,” filed on Mar. 17, 2014as application Ser. No. 14/216,723, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety and for all purposes.

Loader: a device that aids in placement of radioactive seeds incarriers, such as via injection of seeds into carriers. A loader, alsoreferred to herein as a “loading device,” may include multiplecomponents, such as to hold a carrier in place and guide a deliverydevice (e.g., a needle or injector) into the carrier in order to place aseed at a precise location in the carrier. The “Loader Patents” refersto U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/460,809, filed Apr. 30, 2012, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,939,881, entitled “Apparatus For Loading DosimetricallyCustomizable Brachytherapy Carriers,” and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/696,293, filed Apr. 24, 2015, entitled “Apparatus and Method forLoading Radioactive Seeds Into Carriers,” which are each herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes, describeseveral embodiments of loaders. As discussed further herein, loaders maybe operated manually, such as by human operators, or may be fullyautomated, such that carriers can be loaded with seeds using anautomated process. Alternatively, loaders may be configured to beautomated in part and require manual operation in part.

Shielding Material: any material that restricts movement of radioactiveparticles, such as by absorbing, reflecting, and/or scatteringradioactive particles. The term “shielding,” as used herein, generallyrefers to any mechanism of preventing radiation from moving through andexiting a corresponding shielding material, such as by the shieldingmaterial absorbing, reflecting, or otherwise blocking the radiation.Shielding materials in various forms may be used in the variousembodiments discussed herein. For example, a shielding material may bein the form of a particle, wire, rod, cylinder, bar, sheet, liquid,solution, foam, or any other form in which a material having radiationabsorbing and/or reflecting properties is possible. A shielding materialprovides a shielding rate, which is generally an amount of shielding ofradioactive energy (that is emitted from one or more radiation sources),provided by the particular shielding materials. Similarly, a shieldinglayer comprising multiple shielding materials and an isolation sheethave associated shielding rates, which are dependent on the combinationof shielding (and possibly non-shielding) materials therein. For someapplications, such as based on clinical need, an isolation sheet thatprovides a shielding rate of 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, 95%, 98% or some othershielding percentage, may be desired. As discussed herein, materialcomposition, shape, size, dimensions, etc. may impact the shieldingabilities of a shielding material. For applications (e.g., based onclinical need) where a higher shielding percentage is desired than maybe provided by a single shielding material, multiple shielding materialsmay be used in combination, in one or more shielding layers or isolationsheets.

High Z Materials: any element with an atomic number greater than 20, oran alloy containing such materials.

Hot Carrier: a carrier that is loaded with a material that isradioactive.

Cold Carrier: a carrier that is not loaded a material that isradioactive, such as a carrier prior to loading of a radioactive seed.

Dosimetry: a process of measurement and quantitative description of theradiation absorbed dose (rad) in a tissue or organ.

Treatment Specifications: any information that is useful in selectingand/or manufacturing of custom radioactive seed carrier's for aparticular patient, such as based on a treatment plan developed for thepatient. Treatment specifications may include information regarding acavity into which the custom carriers will be used, such as cavity size,cavity shape, etc. Treatment specifications may also include a desireddose of radiation to be realized with the custom carriers developed forthe indicated cavity. In some implementations, treatment specificationsmay include further details, such as an indication of preferred sizes,shapes, materials, etc. of carriers.

Example Custom Carriers

FIG. 1A is a side view of a spherical carrier 100 having radioactiveseeds embedded therein, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of thecarrier 100. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1B,radioactive seeds 110 (including radioactive seeds 110A and radioactiveseed 110 B) are embedded in a central portion of the spherical carrier.Depending on the embodiment, the spherical carrier 100 may comprisevarious bioresorbable materials, such as synthetic collagen,bovine—derived collagen, human— derived collagen, and/or any othersuitable bioresorbable material. The spherical carrier 100, as well asother custom carriers discussed herein, may be manufactured in variousmanners, including those discussed in U.S. Patent Application No.63/163,366, filed Mar. 19, 2021, entitled “Systems And Methods ForCreating Custom Brachytherapy Carriers,” which is incorporated byreference in its entirety and for all purposes.

FIG. 2 illustrates the example spherical carrier 100 held by forceps210, such as may be used in a surgical process of implanting the carrier100 into a tumor cavity. Depending on the application, as well ascharacteristics of the particular carrier, other tools and proceduresmay be used to place a carrier into its proper location within a tumorcavity. For example, in some embodiments an endoscope may be used toinsert one or more carriers into a tumor cavity.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are cross-sectional views of a spherical carrier300A, 300B, and 300C, respectively, loaded with different quantities,and potentially radiation strengths, of radioactive seeds. The sphericalcarrier 300A includes two radioactive seeds 310A and 3108, while thespherical carrier 300B includes only a single radioactive seed 310C andthe spherical carrier 300C includes three radioactive seeds 310D, 311E,and 310F. In some implementations, the radioactive seed 310C is a higherradiation strength then radioactive seeds in carriers 300A or 300Cbecause the carrier 300B includes only a single radioactive seed. Inother implementations, the radioactive seed 310C is a similar strengthas those in higher seed count carriers, as prescribed by a radiationtreatment plan. Depending on the embodiment, seeds may be positioned invarious arrangements within a seed carrier.

FIGS. 3D-3H are cross-sectional views of spherical carriers loaded withdifferent quantities and configurations of radioactive seeds. Thecross-sections of FIGS. 3D-3H include a cross-section of radioactiveseeds, such as seeds that are generally cylindrical. FIGS. 3D, 3E, and3F each illustrate, for example, a custom carrier with a radioactiveseed in the center of a spherical carrier, with additional radioactiveseeds positioned equidistant around the periphery of the sphericalcarrier. In some embodiments, the strength of the center and theperiphery seeds may vary, such as a higher strength seed in the centerand lower strength seeds on the periphery. Similarly, the strength ofthe seeds around the periphery may vary, such as to achieve a desiredtreatment plan. For example, a side of the spherical carrier that isdistal to the treatment service may not include a radioactive seed,while the opposite side that is proximal to the treatment serviceincludes a radioactive seed. In other embodiments, any other quantity ofradioactive seeds may be positioned around the periphery and/or in acentral portion of the spherical carriers.

The example embodiments of the year 3G and 3H illustrate radioactiveseeds positioned near a periphery of the spherical carrier, without aradioactive seed in the center.

While the seeds in FIGS. 3D-3H are each indicated in a similarorientation, in other embodiments seeds may be implanted at differentorientations within a custom carrier. For example, a seed in the centerof the custom carrier may be orthogonal in one dimension to a pluralityof seeds near the outer edges of the custom carrier. Additionally, anyother quantity and positioning of radioactive seeds within a customcarrier is contemplated.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a spherical elongate carrier 400 andFIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the carrier 400. The sphericalelongate carrier 400 may advantageously be placed into a tumor cavitythat is larger than a channel through tissue leading to the tumorcavity. Thus, the specialized shape of carrier 400 may advantageouslyfill a tumor cavity as well as they narrower channel to the cavity.Spherical elongate carriers, such as carrier 400, may be manufacturedusing custom molds or bio printing, such as is discussed in U.S. PatentApplication No. 63/163,366, filed Mar. 19, 2021, entitled “Systems AndMethods For Creating Custom Brachytherapy Carriers.”

In some embodiments, carriers are compressed for insertion into a tumorcavity. For example, the spherical portion 405 of carrier 400 may becompressed to fit through a channel leading to a tumor cavity. Onceproperly positioned within the tumor cavity, the carrier 400 may behydrated, either with added saline and/or through bodily fluids in thetumor cavity, causing the spherical portion 410 to expand and fill thetumor cavity.

FIG. 4B shows carrier 400 with three radioactive seeds 410, with oneseed 410A in a central portion of the spherical portion 405, anotherseed 410B positioned in a portion where the spherical portion 405 beginsto taper into a cylindrical portion 407, and a third seed 410C in thecylindrical portion 407.

In some embodiments, the carriers are configured for size customization,such as at the time of surgery, e.g., either prior to insertion or afterinsertion into a tumor cavity. With reference to carrier 400, cut lines402 (including 402A and 402B) indicate locations on the carrier wherethe carrier may be safely cut without impacting one of the embeddedradioactive seeds 410. FIG. 4C illustrates, for example, across-sectional view of a carrier 400C, which is the carrier 400 aftertrimming the distal end of the carrier 400 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) at the trimline 402B (FIG. 4A). Thus, the carrier 400 is reconfigured to reduce alength of the carrier, such as to better fit into a tumor cavity. Insome implementations, if the surgeon suspects that trimming of theportion of the carrier will be performed, such as to remove the portionthat extends outside of the cavity, the radioactive seed 410C may not beloaded into the carrier 400.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of another custom carrier 500 having aspherical portion 510 that tapers into a cylindrical portion 520. In thecross-sectional view of carrier 500 in FIG. 5B, four radioactive seeds510 are shown within the carrier 500. In this example, the radioactiveseeds are evenly spaced, and cut lines are shown on the outer surface ofthe carrier (FIG. 5A) to indicate areas between the seeds where thecarrier 500 may be cut to shorten its size. In other embodiments, theradioactive seeds may be spaced differently and/or different quantitiesof radioactive seeds may be included.

FIG. 6A illustrates a tapered carrier 600 having multiple sections eachconfigured for embedding of a radioactive seed therein. Depending on theimplementation, the orientation of the carrier 600 (as well as othercarriers discussed herein), may be reversible. For example, oneapplication of the carrier 600 may call for insertion with the proximaland 602 entering the cavity first, with the distal end 604 extendingcloser to (or extending out of) the cavity. However, depending onparameters such as the shape, size, depth, etc. of the tumor cavity, insome implementations the distal end 604 may be inserted first into thecavity, with the proximal end 602 extending closer to (or extending outof) the cavity. Additionally, the quantity and spacing of radioactiveseeds within carrier 600 may vary from one application to the next. Forexample, in one implementation (e.g., a particular surgicalimplantation) the carrier 600 may be embedded with six radioactiveseeds, in each of the six indicated sections. In another implementation,the carrier 600 may be embedded with three radioactive seeds,alternating sections from the first section at the proximal and 600towards the distal end 604. Any other combination of radioactive seedplacements is contemplated. Advantageously, the carrier 600 includes cutlines 605 indicating locations where the carrier length may be safelytrimmed (either pre- or post-implant) without impacting a radioactiveseed.

FIG. 6B is cross-sectional view of carrier 600 with radioactive seedsembedded in each of the six sections.

FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view and FIG. 7B illustrates across-sectional view of a carrier 700 having a channel 702, or canal,extending through a longitudinal axis of the carrier. As shown incross-sectional view of FIG. 7B, the channel 702 is positioned parallelto the multiple seeds 710 embedded in the carrier 700. In otherembodiments, a channel may be positioned in other locations. The channel702 may be used for drainage, such as to remove excess fluid around thecarrier and/or as a path to adding hydration to the carrier, such as tocause the proximal end of the carrier to hydrate and expand into acavity. In other implementations, the channel may be used for gasexchange with the treatment surface, such as to allow a fluid (e.g., agas or a liquid) to escape from a tumor cavity as the carrier isinserted.

FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of another carrier 800 havingflutes 810 extending along a length of the carrier. FIG. 8B is across-section of the carrier 800, illustrating the fluting. The flutingmay be used in a similar manner as the channel 702 of FIG. 7, e.g., fordrainage and/or for providing fluid to (or allowing fluid removal from)a proximal end of the carrier. Additionally, the fluting may adherebetter to certain tissue than a smooth outer surface. In someembodiments, a channel (e.g., as in FIGS. 7A-7B) and/or fluting (e.g.,as in FIGS. 8A-8B) may also be used to allow delivery of antibioticsand/or other therapeutic agents. For example, in some embodiments, oneor more channels or fluting may allow delivery of a fluidic therapeuticagent, such as a chemotherapy drug, to the treatment surface.

In any of the embodiments discussed herein, at least a proximal portionof a carrier (or the entire carrier) may comprise a biopolymer materialthat delivers a therapeutic agent to a treatment area and/or may becoated with a therapeutic agent.

In any of the embodiments discussed herein, markings may be includedduring a custom carrier fabrication process (e.g., prior to shipment tothe surgical site) and/or as part of an intra-operative implantationprocess. For example, markings (which may be visual and/or tactile) mayindicate a proximal portion of the custom carrier that should contact(or be closest to) the treatment surface. Alternatively, markings mayindicate a distal portion of the custom carrier that should be furthestaway from the treatment surface. In some implementations, markings mayindicate location of each radioactive seed embedded in a custom carrierand/or a strength of each of the radioactive seeds, such as using acolor coding scheme or printing the numerical radiation strength (e.g.,in Gy) on the surface of the custom carrier. Similarly, markings mayindicate location of shielding, such as to indicate a distal portion ofthe carrier.

FIG. 9 illustrates a carrier 900 that is configured for placement in atumor cavity of a patient via an introduction tool 930, such asendoscope 930A or tubing 930B or 930C. In this example, the carrier maybe compressed to form carrier 900B, which is then sized for insertioninto one of the introduction tools 930, which may be selected based onthe resection cavity size and access cavity, for example. For example,insertion via a nasal passage may be best performed using an endoscopewhile direct insertion into a shallow resection cavity may be easierwith one of the insertion tools 930B or 930C. The introduction tool maythen be used to find the appropriate location for insertion of thecarrier and embed the carrier at that location. As noted above, in someembodiments the compressed carrier 9106 expands to fill the tumor cavityupon hydration within the tumor cavity.

Other Embodiments

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may bemade to the above-described embodiments, the elements of which are to beunderstood as being among other acceptable examples. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included herein withinthe scope of this disclosure. The foregoing description details certainembodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated, however, that nomatter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the invention can bepracticed In many ways. As is also stated above, the use of particularterminology when describing certain features or aspects of the inventionshould not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-definedherein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of thefeatures or aspects of the invention with which that terminology isassociated. The scope of the invention should therefore be construed inaccordance with the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A radioactive seed carrier comprising: asubstantially radially symmetrical body around an axis consistingessentially of a bio-resorbable material, where a diameter of the bodyis in the range of about one to seven centimeters; and one or moreradioactive seeds positioned within the body, the one or moreradioactive seeds comprising a radioactive emitting radiation configuredto kill living cells; wherein the seed carrier is capable ofcompression.
 2. The radioactive seed carrier of claim 1, wherein thebody is substantially spherical.
 3. The radioactive seed carrier ofclaim 1, wherein the body comprises a substantially spherical portionthat tapers to a substantially cylindrical portion.
 4. The radioactiveseed carrier of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a substantiallyspherical portion and a tapered portion extending from the sphericalportion, wherein a diameter of the tapered portion decreases withdistance from the cylindrical portion.
 5. The radioactive seed carrierof claim 4, wherein one or more radioactive seeds are embedded in thetapered portion.
 6. The radioactive seed carrier of claim 1, furthercomprising: one or more trim lines indicating locations where theradioactive seed carrier is configured to be separated.
 7. Theradioactive seed carrier of claim 6, wherein the one or more trim linesare separated by about five to twenty millimeters.
 8. The radioactiveseed carrier of claim 1, further comprising: a drain channel extendingthrough the body.
 9. The radioactive seed carrier of claim 1, wherein anouter surface of the body comprises one or more flutes.
 10. Theradioactive seed carrier of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of thebody comprises a sinusoidal surface.
 11. The radioactive seed carrier ofclaim 1, wherein the radioactive seed carrier is configured forimplantation into mammalian tissue via an endoscope.
 12. The radioactiveseed carrier of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the body when compressedis less than about two-thirds of the original diameter.
 13. Theradioactive seed carrier of claim 1, wherein the bioresorbable materialcomprise human-derived collagen or bovine-derived collagen.
 14. Aradioactive seed carrier comprising: a substantially radiallysymmetrical body around an axis consisting essentially of abio-resorbable material; and one or more radioactive seeds positionedwithin the body, the one or more radioactive seeds comprising aradioactive material emitting radiation configured to kill living cells.